Creative kids sprout on The Barn's outdoor stage

Voices, guitars, banjos, bass, mandolins, and kazoos rang out from the outdoor stage at The Barn on Friday afternoon as kids in grades five through nine showed their talent. The public performance culminated last week's creativity camp at Sisters Folk Festival.

Teaching artist Joe Schulte led up the "Seed to Sprout" music camp. A mandolin player and bandleader known for his work with Moon Mountain Ramblers, Skillethead, Cascade School of Music, and String Theory Music School in Bend, he led the full group in cover songs including the Rolling Stones' iconic "Paint It Black."

Several students opened up the show, singing original songs-some written previously, some developed over the week together at camp.

Sisters Folk Festival's art and music creativity camps run for one week each. This summer's seven daytime camps offer different themes and areas of focus, all wrapped around art, music, theater, and science.

Open to youth entering grades 5–9, most camps take place outdoors at the Sisters Art Works building. The "pay-what-you-can" model allows families of varying income levels to participate; camps often provide food from local restaurants.

Snacks and lunch were provided by Spoons' new, larger restaurant last week. Camp organizers and Spoons staff were careful to accommodate common allergies and food sensitivities.

Three camps are still open for registration this summer. The theater production camp "Nothing Is Without Meaning" will be taught by Steven Livingston, Judy Fuentes, and Jayana Hinkle.

Delving into the creative theatrical process, the class will explore body language, expression, sound and music, and intention and motivation. Music, drama, and stage craft will be involved. A full-day camp, it takes place July 31 through August 4; registration closes July 24.

Music and art often intertwine throughout human societies. Teaching artist and visual arts teacher Judy Fuentes will return to lead the "Music in Art" half-day camp August 7 through 11, with registration closing on July 31.

"Branch to Fruit" music camp is for seasoned young players, "comfortable on their instruments." The camp brings Schulte back to lead the show. Taking place all day August 7–11, the camp is open for registration until July 31.

Learn more at sistersfolkfestival.org/creativity-camps.